Decentius, Caesar, July or August 350 - 18 August 353 A.D.

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In the winter of 351/352, Magnentius, usurper of the western provinces, elevated his brother Decentius to Caesar and assigned him to oversee the defense of Gaul and the Rhine frontier. After initial success, Magnentius was defeated by Constantius II at the Battle of Mursa Major. The people of Treveri revolted and closed their gates against Decentius. Incited by Constantius, the Germanic Allemanni tribe under their chief Chnodomar invaded Gaul, defeated Decentius, and besieged him in Senonae. It was there that he learned of Magnentius ' defeat at the Battle of Mons Seleucus and subsequent suicide. On 18 August 353, Decentius hanged himself in the besieged city, ending the civil war.

Also see: ERIC - Decentius


References

Bastien, P. Le Monnayage de Magnence (350-353). (Wetteren, 1983).
Carson, R., P. Hill & J. Kent. Late Roman Bronze Coinage, Part II: Bronze Roman Imperial Coinage of the Later Empire, A.D. 346-498. (London, 1960).
Carson, R., H. Sutherland & J. Kent. The Roman Imperial Coinage, Vol. VIII, The Family of Constantine I, A.D. 337 - 364. (London, 1981).
Cohen, H. Description historique des monnaies frappées sous l 'Empire Romain, Vol. 8: Carausius to Constantine & sons. (Paris, 1888).
Depeyrot, G. Les monnaies d 'or de Constantin II à Zenon (337-491). Moneta 5. (Wetteren, 1996).
Failmezger, V. Roman Bronze Coins From Paganism to Christianity, 294 - 364 A.D. (Washington D.C., 2002).
King, C. & D. Sear. Roman Silver Coins, Volume V, Carausius to Romulus Augustus. (London, 1987).
Paolucci, R. & A. Zub. La monetazione di Aquileia Romana. (Padova, 2000).
Robinson, A. Roman Imperial Coins in the Hunter Coin Cabinet, University of Glasgow, Vol. V. Diocletian (Reform) to Zeno. (Oxford, 1982).
Sear, D. Roman Coins and Their Values, Vol. V: The Christian Empire: The Later Constantinian Dynasty...Constantine II to Zeno, AD 337 - 491. (London, 2014).
Vagi, D. Coinage and History of the Roman Empire. (Sidney, 1999).
Voetter, O. Die Münzen der romischen Kaiser, Kaiserinnen und Caesaren von Diocletianus bis Romulus: Katalog der Sammlung Paul Gerin. (Vienna, 1921).


Obverse Legends

DECENTIVSFORCAES
DNDECENTIVSCAESAR
DNDECENTIVSFORTCAES
DNDECENTIVSNOBCAES
DNMAGDECENTIVSNOBCAES


Mints

Ambianum
Aquileia
Arelate
Lugdunum
Roma
Siscia
Treveri


|Dictionary of Roman Coins|




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Decentius (Magnus), brother or cousin of Magnentius by whom, after the death of Constans, he was named Caesar, at Milan, A.D. 351, and raised to the consulship the following year. Magnentius appointed him to command in Gaul, for the purpose of keeping in check the German tribes; but he was defeated by Chnodomarius, leader of the Allemanni and other tribes. On this or some previous occasion, the people of Treves revolting, closed the gates of their city against him. On being apprised of the death of Magnentius to whose assistance he was hastening; apprehensive of falling into the hands of Constantius Chlorus, who had already defeated his brother; and surrounded by foes without hope of escape, Decentius strangled himself at Seus, A.D. 353.

His brass coins are common, except medallions, which are rare, silver very rare, especially medallions, gold still rarer, one medallion in gold of extreme rarity. He is styled on these Dominus Noster DECENTIVS FORTissimus CAESar; also D. N. MAGnus DECENTIVS Nobilissimus CAESar, and D. N. DECENTIVS NOB. CAES.


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